COSMOS 2478 is a Glonass M satellite. The Glonass system broadcasts navigation signals to Russian military and civilian users around the world. It is Russia's counterpart to the U.S. Air Force's Global Positioning System. Glonass M satellites are built by ISS Reshetnev and designed to function for seven years. COSMOS 2478 will join a network of spacecraft at nearly full capacity. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, reported 23 Glonass satellites were operational as of Nov. 28, 2011.